Button signs multi-year contract with McLaren

The 2009 Formula One World champion joined the team in 2010 and has struck up a good partnership, not only with the team, but also team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

‘I’ve never felt more at home at a team than I do at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes,’ said Button to the media.

‘I’ve won four of the greatest races of my life here, I’m currently lying second in the drivers’ world championship, and I feel that I’m driving better than ever.

‘You can only achieve that with the right level of support – and I truly believe that the passion and determination to win are stronger here at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes than anywhere else.

Jenson Button made his debut in Formula One at the Australian Grand Prix in 2000. Since then he has driven for Williams, Benetton [Renault], BAR [Honda], Brawn GP and McLaren.

He has made 203-starts to-date, winning 11 times, taking 39 podium finishes and clinching the 2009 Formula One drivers title.

Four of his race wins have come for McLaren since he joined the team in 2010.

He won the Canadian and Hungarian Grand Prix’s this season and is currently second in the Formula One World Championship, 17-points clear of team-mate Hamilton.

Upon hearing the news Lewis Hamilton added: “It?s great that Jenson has chosen to stay with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. Jenson has been a great person to work with, and a genuine team-player, from the moment we welcomed him on board. Jenson and I are as hungry and as ambitious as ever to win races and world championships in the future.”

Button remains the only person who can mathematically stop Vettel winning this seasons F1 title.

If Button doesn’t win in Suzuka, Vettel will claim the 2011 championship regardless of his own finish.